Victim of tragic crash receives support from classmates

Jonathan Ryan Trum suffered multiple injuries Monday in a car wreck on Columbia Road that claimed his mother’s life.

Janet Davis Trum, 55, of Crown Pointe Drive in Martinez, was driving Jonathan, 14, to Columbia Middle School at about 7 a.m. when she crashed her 2004 Chevy Malibu into a utility trailer being pulled by a Pete Alewine Pool and Spa truck stopped to turn left.

The collision peeled off the left side of the car and tore it in two.

The pupils and staff of Columbia Middle have done what they can to help Jonathan cope with his injuries and the devastating loss of his mother.

“Several teachers have been to see him and I went to see him yesterday,” Columbia Middle Principal Steven Cummings said Thursday. “He’s doing a lot better. He had some surgery on some gashes on his face, so he’s in a lot of pain, of course. He has a lot of fractures on his left arm.

Jonathan was released Thursday from Georgia Health Sciences University Hospital. The funeral for his mother was scheduled for Saturday.

Still, Cummings said the school is doing what it can to keep Jonathan’s spirits high.

“The kids have done a variety of different things for him here at school: cards, all kinds of gift bags, and things of that nature,” he said.

The parent of another student at the school baked him a chocolate cake after hearing from a teacher that Jonathan said he’d like one. An avid basketball fan, Jonathan will receive a basketball signed by the Columbia Middle team. Other classmates of the eighth-grader are collecting photos for him.

“As a school, we’re collecting donations for the family,” Cummings said. “We’ve had several parents who have called to offer their support.”

The money will be used to help Jonathan and his family with expenses.

Cummings said he is unsure if Jonathan will remain at Columbia Middle following his recovery. He might live with his grandmother in Augusta, or move to California with his father.

Cummings described Jonathan as friendly, but not overly outgoing.

“He’s really into video games,” he said. “And he has a great personality.”

Despite the tragedy, Cummings believes Jonathan has it within him to overcome it and move on with his life.

“He’s in good spirits and is doing well, as far as his recovery,” he said.